The Community Foundation of Randolph County continues to celebrate local heroes who have impacted the community or exceeded expectations to serve others. This effort is the result of a Community Foundation program that helps recognize such people, while also raising money to help others. The program started in 2015, and since that date, this nomination will make the 30th Randolph County Hero. For $1,000 anyone can nominate a person (living or deceased), business, or community organization for the designation of a Randolph County Hero. The money goes into an unrestricted fund, which the Community Foundation uses to do and support great things in Randolph County for years to come. Gifts made to endowed, unrestricted funds, such as the Randolph County Heroes Fund, will be matched $2 dollars for every $1 dollar donated through December 31, 2025, or while matching funds last.
Those designated as Randolph County Heroes will have their names on a plaque at the Foundation office and will be featured in media outlets. The Randolph County Heroes Fund is a great way to honor those currently working to make Randolph County a better place to live or to remember and recognize the impact of someone who has passed. Our newest hero, Marla Threewits, was nominated by an anonymous donor.
Does the mascot Randy Raccoon sound familiar? How about “Come Get Mooned in Randolph County”? Both of these are the brainchild of Marla Threewits, Chairman of the Randolph County Eclipse Committee and Randolph County Tourism Board Member. Granted those ideas came with the help of her friends, and that is exactly why Marla is being nominated as a Randolph County Hero. She brings out the best ideas from her friends, her community and anyone who knows her. She does it all with an element of fun.
Even though Marla isn’t a Randolph County native, in fact, she grew up in neighboring Darke County and graduated from Mississinawa Valley Schools, we still consider her ours. Her parents farmed but were always active in their community. Marla’s father, Sam Coppess, was very well-known in politics in Darke County and raised her with a strong work ethic and passion for involvement. Marla’s mother, Helen, was an active farm wife, who like her daughter, enjoyed friends, family and was always up for a good laugh.
Marla became a true Hoosier when she graduated from Indiana University, and after marrying her high school/college sweetheart, Steve Threewits. Steve and Marla raised two wonderful, athletic children at their Randolph County home, Sean Threewits and Dr. Jill Hemmelgarn. They are now proud grandparents of four darling grandchildren, Monroe and Dylan Threewits and Ellie and Sam Hemmelgarn.
Marla spent her career as an educator in both Randolph and Darke Counties. She was a speech language pathologist, special education director, principal, and even served as a Randolph Eastern School Board Member. She retired as principal of Ansonia Elementary School. Whenever you are with her, you are sure to be greeted by former students saying, “Hi Mrs. 3, remember me?”
Retirement did not stop Marla’s passion for education and children. Right after retiring she became an Educational Consultant for Administrator Assistance, continuing to help schools in Indiana and Ohio with her expertise. In her spare time, she volunteered as a tutor for the AVID Program at Union City High School. She also worked with pre-school families in Darke County to help children at risk get off to a good start with their educations. Once she decided to retire again to spend more time traveling and enjoying her children and grandchildren, she couldn’t give up her advocacy for other people’s children. She still serves as a CASA Volunteer for children in Darke County.
Marla is one that people call on to organize, cheerlead and help with any of the community causes. She serves as a Board Member for the Community Foundation of Randolph County, Tourism Board Member, and chair of the Eclipse Committee for our county. She helped on Cultivating Community activities, and she and Steve are always generous contributors to the Summer Concerts at Goodrich Park and State Line Heritage Days. She still finds time to walk, do yoga and play pickleball. Competition is the name of the game in the Threewits household. The family even has a Christmas light competition between them in Lima, Ohio, Union City and Indianapolis.
We are so happy that Darke County has shared the fun, enthusiasm and commitment to quality-of-life Marla Threewits brings to both Randolph and Darke Counties.